Firearms 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Strict prohibition on most firearms
Can I bring Firearms into United Kingdom?
Strict prohibition on most firearms
Required at the destination customs authority
Full details
The UK has among the strictest firearms laws in the world. Handguns are effectively banned under the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997. Shotguns and rifles require specific certificates. Tourists cannot bring firearms without prior authorization from the Home Office. Evading the import controls is a customs offence carrying up to 14 years' imprisonment, rising to life for the prohibited weapons listed in section 170(4A) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979. Leaving United Kingdom with firearms is a separate question — prohibited: United Kingdom prohibits taking firearms out of the country without an advance export authorisation; licensed hunters and sport shooters are the main exception categories.
PENALTIES
- Fine: no upper limit set by the statute
- Imprisonment: up to life
- Criminal penalty
Evading the import controls is a customs offence carrying up to 14 years' imprisonment, a penalty of any amount, or both. For the prohibited weapons listed in s.170(4A) the maximum is life imprisonment.
WHAT THE LAW SAYS
Customs and Excise Management Act 1979, s.170(3)(b)
“on conviction on indictment, to a penalty of any amount, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years, or to both.”legislation.gov.uk
Customs and Excise Management Act 1979, s.170(4A)(a) — which weapons attract the higher maximum
“a prohibition or restriction on the importation or exportation of any weapon or ammunition that is of a kind mentioned in section 5(1)(a), (ab), (aba), (ac), (ad), (ae), (af), (ag), (ba) or (c) or (1A)(a) of the Firearms Act 1968”legislation.gov.uk
Customs and Excise Management Act 1979, s.170(4A) — the higher maximum
“as if for the words "imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years" there were substituted the words "imprisonment for life"”legislation.gov.uk
Penalty sources checked 2026-09-19.
Active — Customs actively enforces this rule.
Leaving United Kingdom with firearms
Export of firearms from United Kingdom requires advance authorisation issued before departure under Firearms Act 1968; Export Control Order 2008. Unlicensed firearms export is a serious criminal offence carrying substantial fines and imprisonment. Even properly licensed domestic owners require the separate export authorisation for cross-border movement, and ammunition and firearm parts (barrels, receivers) fall under the same framework. Airlines additionally require advance notice and locked-case carriage in checked baggage.
Do not attempt to bring any firearm to the UK without prior Home Office authorization. Penalties include up to 5 years imprisonment for unauthorized possession.
Firearms Act 1968, Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997
This page covers destination customs rules in United Kingdom. Whether you can carry firearms through security, in carry-on, or in checked baggage depends on airline and screening rules — see air travel rules.
Related rules
Firearms rules in other countries
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🇦🇺 Australia
Prohibited without import permit
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🇯🇵 Japan
Complete civilian ban
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🇲🇽 Mexico
Illegal to bring firearms without SEDENA permit
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🇺🇸 United States
Second Amendment; state laws vary widely
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🇨🇦 Canada
PAL required; restricted and prohibited classifications
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🇸🇬 Singapore
Complete civilian ban; severe penalties